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News & Updates

NICHD issues Releases and Media Advisories to the news media. Science Updates and Spotlights explain NICHD research findings and public health issues to the general public. An Item of Interest is a short announcement such as an initiative launch or a notable staff change. Director’s Corner posts are monthly updates from the NICHD director.

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Director's Corner: Reflecting on a Productive 2023

A woman in a doctor’s office is sitting down while speaking to a health care provider.

In 2023, NICHD continued its commitment to research to understand human development, improve reproductive health, promote women’s health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. Highlights include steps toward reducing the global burden of maternal sepsis and establishing a standard treatment for opioid-exposed newborns.

Release: NIH researchers create genetic atlas detailing early stages of zebrafish development

Two small, transparent fish face each other along the surface of the water.

Zebrafish are models for studying early development. Scientists at NICHD published an atlas of early zebrafish development that can serve as resource for other researchers who study development or human conditions and diseases.

Spotlight: Looking Back on NICHD in 2023

A pregnant woman sits up on a hospital bed and is speaking with a health care provider.

As we ring in 2024, we’d like to take a brief look back on our accomplishments during 2023. These activities illustrate the institute’s continued commitment to research and training in its mission areas.

Spotlight: Scientific Advances from the Division of Intramural Research

Several purple bacteria are shown and depicted as long spirals with smaller dots clustered inside.

The Division of Intramural Research provides fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems through basic, clinical, and population-based research.

Science Update: NICHD researchers develop model for how energy-producing mitochondria obtain magnesium

Three-dimensional graphic shows the inset mitochondria in the top left; the organelle is bean-shaped with folds inside. The MRS2 channel is shown as a cross-section embedded in a lipid bilayer. The intermembrane space of the mitochondria is shaded blue, and the mitochondrial matrix is shaded purple. Magnesium ions are small green spheres.

Researchers at NIH have developed a model of how mitochondria—the energy producers in cells—obtain the essential mineral magnesium through the Mitochondrial RNA Splicing 2 (MRS2) channel.

Science Update: Mice models accurately replicate neuronal communication responsible for memory and learning in people, according to NIH study

Microscopy image of yellow cells against a black background. The center junction contains many vessel-like projections. The axons of the two neurons are thicker and run from top left to bottom right.

The properties of neuronal junctions that help form long-term memories and aid in learning are similar between mice and people, according to a new NIH study.

Spotlight: Scientific Advances from the Division of Intramural Research

The astrocytes have multiple extensions that add layers around axons, which are shown as long tubular structures.

The Division of Intramural Research provides fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems through basic, clinical, and population-based research.

Item of Interest: Pediatrician Catherine Gordon appointed director of NICHD’s clinical research program

A smiling woman with trees and flowers in the background.

Catherine Gordon, M.D., M.S., has been appointed clinical director at NICHD. In her new role, she will lead the institute’s intramural clinical research program to improve understanding of the biological, medical, reproductive, and behavioral aspects of typical and atypical human development.

Science Update: Children with hereditary developmental disorder have high levels of Alzheimer-associated proteins

Structural model of the creatine molecule.

Children with creatine transporter deficiency, a hereditary developmental disorder, have higher levels of three proteins that are also found in people with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a small study by researchers at NIH and other institutions. The higher the level of proteins, the lower the children scored on a test of coping behaviors and skills. These findings may help inform diagnostic approaches for the transporter deficiency disorder.

Release: NIH zebrafish research included in U.S. Postal Service’s “Life Magnified” stamps

A postage stamp in landscape orientation with “Zebrafish” in the top left corner and “Forever/USA” in the bottom left corner. The stamp is black with the zebrafish shown in blue and orange colors.

A microscopy image created by NIH researchers is part of the “Life Magnified” stamp panel issued by the United States Postal Service.

Science Update: Antiviral drug TEMPOL targets multiple SARS-CoV-2 proteins

The cell’s surface is covered in short filaments, and the color changes in a gradient from pink in the lower left corner to blue in the top right corner. In some areas, the filaments are covered with clumps of small yellow spheres.

The experimental drug TEMPOL prevents viral replication by targeting the SARS-CoV-2 helicase, in addition to the virus’ replicase, according to a new NICHD study.

Science Update: NIH study finds neurotrophic factor-α1 prevents memory loss and neurodegeneration in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Delivery of the gene for neurotrophic factor-α1 directly into the hippocampus of the brain prevents neurodegeneration and memory loss in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.

Spotlight: Scientific Advances from the Division of Intramural Research

A donut-shaped mass of red cells is dotted with green against a black background. The green fibers are bunched along the lower left edge.

The Division of Intramural Research provides fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems through basic, clinical, and population-based research.

Science Update: Cellulose gel may help prevent spread of SARS-CoV-2, NIH study suggests

A gel made from the seeds of a South American palm tree entraps SARS-CoV-2 and the protein the virus uses to enter cells, preventing the virus from infecting cells in laboratory cultures, a National Institutes of Health study has found. The findings raise the possibility of future studies to determine if the gel could be incorporated into masks and filters to reduce airborne spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Media Advisory: Researchers develop model for how the brain acquires essential omega-3 fatty acids

Three-dimentional rendering of purple receptors within a fatty lipid bilayer. DHA, colored in yellow and red, moves along the center of each receptor. Red blood cells are on top, and blue shading is along the bottom.

Findings may aid design of targeted drug delivery into the brain and central nervous system.

Science Update: International group identifies best management of rare neuroendocrine cancers—phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma

A three-dimensional rendering of a see-through human torso shows the adrenal glands in orange.

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are rare types of tumors that are typically found in the abdomen but can occur in any location of the body. An international group of health care professionals developed a consensus statement on how to best manage these tumors when they are caused by variants in the gene succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit D (SDHD).

Science Update: Gene therapy for rare neurodegenerative disease shows early promise

An orange double helix, representing DNA, contained within a blue sphere, representing a viral vector, is shown outside a cell, represented as an oval with a blue outline delineating the cell membrane. Additional copies of the vector/DNA are shown entering the cell membrane and traveling through the cell. An arrow represents delivery of the DNA to the cell nucleus.

A research team including NICHD scientists has developed a potential gene therapy for hereditary spastic paraplegia 50, a rare childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorder that leads to developmental delays, cognitive impairment, and eventual paralysis.

Spotlight: Women in Science: Dr. Veronica Gomez-Lobo’s Nontraditional Route to Research

Eight people stand in a row smiling at the camera. Windows and a set of doors are visible in the background.

Dr. Veronica Gomez-Lobo, director of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at NICHD, began her career as a clinician focused on caring for underserved populations. Taking advantage of interesting opportunities led her to become involved in medical education, and later, in scientific research.

Science Update: Cells from umbilical blood vessel lining secrete tiny structures conveying biochemical messages, NIH study suggests

Electron micrograph of a multi-compartmented microvesicle.

Cells lining the umbilical vein secrete a newly discovered extracellular vesicle—a tiny, balloon-like structure that influences other cells—suggests a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. The findings may have implications for understanding fetal development and may inform strategies to use extracellular vesicles to deliver drugs and other therapies.

Science Update: NIH researchers identify new genetic cause for overgrowth disorders

An x-ray image of a hand is held up by another person’s hand.

Researchers at NIH have discovered that mutations in the gene SPIN4 cause a rare overgrowth disorder in people.

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News & Updates